Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10,648, Benjamin Farmer, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Farmer Benjamin
NUMBER
8,10648
carded
CONTENTS

Benj la Farmer.
24/20
Notice to be given to Henry Sucke Esq re . Plaintiff —

State of New Hampshire County of Rockingham ss.
On this twentyth day of March A.D. 1833 personally appeared, in open court, before the justice of the Superior Court of Judicature now sitting, in Exeter in and for the County of Rockingham Benjamin Farmer a resident of Newdown in the County and State aforesaid aged seventy four years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath make the following declara- tion in order to obtain the benefit of the pro- vision made by the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 that he the said Benjamin Farmer by reason of old age and infirmity has suffered much in his military but according to the best of his recollection he served as follows that on or about the first of June 1775 he entered the service of the United States in the Militia of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in Capt William Wallace's Company (the commander of the Regiment he cannot recollect) as a substitute for his brother Oliver Farmer and served one month at Cambridge near Boston and was then dismissed - That about the first of May 1776 he enlisted in the Company of Massachusetts Militia commanded by Capt John Allen in Col. Reed's Regiment for the term of five months and served the full term of his en- listment at Roxbury Dorchester Heights and Prospect Hill near Boston and was dismissed about the first of October 1776 having served the full term of five months under this engagement - That about the 16 th day of December in the year 1776 he again enlisted in Capt Ruben Butler's

Company of Massachusetts Militia Col Hutchins Thackins Regiment for the term of some months. Marched through Connecticut to the neighbourhood of New York and served until the middle of April of the year 1777 when he was dismissed but he cannot recollect the name of the place where he was dismissed.
That on the first of July 1777 he again enlisted in Captain Joshua Lakin Company in Col Jonathan Reed's Regiment of Massachusetts Militia and was mustered on the fifth day of said July and served until the first of January 1778 when he was discharged having served the full term of six months. That during this term of service he marched to Rhode Island.
That on the second of April 1778 he again enlisted in Captain John Root's Company in Colonel Jonathan Reed's Regiment Massachusetts Militia for the term of three months and was stationed at Cambridge to guard Burgoyne's Army and was discharged about the second of July in the same year.
That about the middle of September 1779 he again enlisted for two months in Captain Nathaniel Lakin's Company in Colonel John Jacobs Regiment Massachusetts Militia and marched to Rhode Island and served about two months and a half and was discharged about the first of December 1779.
That about the first of March 1780 he again enlisted in Captain Solomon Root's Company  Company of

Massachusetts Militia for the term of three months and served the full term of his engagement but cannot recollect the name of the Col. of his Reg- ment nor the place of his service. That he was so often engaged there in the service that all his recollections are very much confused - but that he is positive that he served the terms before men- tioned. That he knows of no person living who can testify to his service - that he has no documentary evidence except the certificate of the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts - That he was born in Chelmsford County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts - That he resided in said Chelmsford when he entered into the service and made that place his home until the close of the Revolution- ary war. When he removed to Newton in Africoid where he has ever since resided - That he has no record of his age - That the Rev d David Locksbury formerly Minister of Newton and Col d Hoyst Town Clerk of said Newton will testify as to my character and belief in my service. That I have never received any discharging my recitation. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State.
Benzion Foster Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. R. H. D. Clerk.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states.
Attest Bradwick Clerk
I Peter Bradwick Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the County of Buckingham in the State of New Hampshire do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court, in the matter of application of Benjamin Hamner for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court this 13 th day of March Anno Domini 1893
Bradwick Clerk of the Court Buckingham County

15207
New Hampshire
Benjamin Farmer
of Rockingham in the State of New Hampshire who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Ballard of the Regt. commanded by Col. Reed in the Mass. line for Lyndon
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Hampshire — at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 day of June 1833 and sent to Mary Tucker Green
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $160.00 Semi-ann. allowance ending Sept — 40.00
$200.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Witham Clerk, Book C Vol. 1 Page 85

Letter to Pen 13 Decd 1837. Order to pay to Jany 1838. J. J. Medwin, Junr. 1838

24720
Benjamin Tarmen N. H.
Print 2 years
ADM D
Henry Tucker. Exeter. N. H.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Benjamin Farmer . N. H.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     June 1775. Sub. 1. Private Col Bellona forgotten 74 born in Mass   May 76 enlist 5 " 6p Minor. Col Reed entered in 3 d State now   Dec. " " 4 " 6p Dutcherfield Col Smith lives in Rockingham N. H.   July - 77 - " 6 " 6p Parker Col Reed   Apr. 78 - " 3 " 6p Moore "   Sep. 79 - " 2 " 6p Lakin Col Jacobs knows of no one to prove service   Mar 80 " 3 for gotten Certificate of Clergymen Amer Citizen - good papers a Document  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____, who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his.

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[1] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[2] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [1] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

South Hampton January 5 th 1858
To the Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.
Dear Sir
dated June 1, 1833 By the certificate in my possession as executor of the will of Betsey Farmer of Newton New Hampshire, and only child of Benjamin Farmer late of said Newton, it appears that said Benjamin Farmer was under the law of June 7, 1832 entitled to eighty dollars per annum during his natural life commencing 4 March 1831 for services rendered during the war of the revolution, said Benjamin died in said Newton August 3 rd 1840, leaving said Betsey Farmer his only child and no widow, at the time of the of the death of said Benjamin I believe there was due him four years and five months pay which has never been received, said Betsey died at said Newton January 7 th A. D. 1856 never having been married, and appointed me her executor which trust I now retain, allow me to ask of you the favour to inform me what course I shall pursue in order to obtain the unpaid pension due to said Benjamin
Yours Respectfully
Thomas J Goodwin executor of the estate of Betsey Farmer

Dec 11 James L Edward Esq
Commissioners of pension
Washington
Mr Evans

Dec 11 James L Edward Esq
Commissioners of pension
Washington
Mr Evans

Dear Sir
I have not until lately known that it was necessary that persons holding pension certificates should draw their pension as often as once a year. I have a pension certificate entitling me to draw eighty dollars per year on which certificate I have not drawn any thing for more than eighteen months. My agent has lately called on Isaac Waldren Esq. agent for paying pension at Portsmouth, New Hampshire and was informed by him that in consequence of not calling for my pension as often as yearly it is necessary that an order should be made on said Waldren authorising him to pay said pension.
I therefore pray your Honour to make an order on said Waldren to pay said pension. Newtown County of Rockingham State of New Hampshire December 6 1837
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of pension Washington
Benzion Farmer

Rev War
10648
INVALID.
own
File No. 10648
Benjamin Farmer Rev War
Act: June 14 82
Index: Vol. 26, Page 121
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Benjamin Farmer N.H. Oct 8 1883
Washington City D.C.

Benjamin Farmer N.H. Oct 1882
W. H. Thompson 5 ... 1882 The Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.

We David Tuckesbury a Clergyman formerly Resident in the Town of Newton in the County of Buckingham and State of Hampshire and now resident in Amherst in the State of Massachusetts near said Town of Newton and Eli Houghton Esquire resident of said Town of Newton do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Tupper who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration that his character for truth and veracity is good that we believe him to be seventy four years of age that he is respected and beloved in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and we concur in that opinion
David Tuckesbury Eli Houghton
Buckingham 10 March 13 th 1833
Sworn and subscribed to before me
Henry Tucker Justice of the peace and I certify that the said David Tuckesbury is a Clergyman residing in Amherst a Town adjoining Newton that said Eli Houghton Esquire is a resident of said Newton that both are credible persons and their statement is entitled to credit
Henry Tucker Justice of the peace

Peter Chadwick Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire do hereby certify that Henry Tucker Esquire is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County of Rockingham and that I believe that his signatures to the within certificates are in his own hand writing
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 14 th day of March Anno Domini 1853
Chadwick Clerk of the Court Rockingham County

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Feb y 19 th 1833.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that Benjamin Farmers Name is born on a Roll of Captain Joshua Parkers in Col o Robinsons Regiment m o 2. where he is allow'd for service from July 5. 1777 3. 0 Three Months. He also appears to have served in Capt n John Moores (comp. in Col o Jon a Reeds Reg t ) from April 2. 1778. at Cambridge, where he is allow'd for Three months & two Days. 3. 2 He also appears in Capt Nath l Lakin's Coll in Col o John Jacobs Reg t . from Sept r . 13 1779 for service done in Rhode Island Two months & eight Days. 2. 8
Benjamin Farmers name is found also on a pay Roll of Capt Joshua Parkers for Bounty due for Service to the first of Jan y 1778 where he is allow'd 3. 0 Three months. 11. 10
Edward D Bangs Secy

Portsmouth Jany 1, 1838
Sir
I herewith forward the papers relating to the pension of Benjamin Farmer to whom 18 months pension is due and I believe every thing is correct relating to it and with your directions I will pay the amt. due him
I am very respectfully Your Obedient Servant Isaac Waldo
James L Edwards Esqr Commissioner of Pensions Washington